Aerial platform apparatus having pipe grabs

ABSTRACT

An aerial platform apparatus includes a wheeled chassis, an extensible boom mounted on the chassis for luffing and swinging movement, and a workman&#39;&#39;s platform carried by the boom. The platform is equipped at its forward vertical face with pipe grabs, for engaging and holding a length of pipe, and each pipe grab may be separately elevated relative to the platform by jacks. The platform may be rotated on a normally vertical axis at the end of the boom through 180*, so as to be along either side of the boom, and the platform may be inclined relative to horizontal by actuating a levelling cylinder at the boom end to incline the normally vertical axis to provide inclination of the basket when rotated to lie beside the boom, or to place the pipe grabs at ground level.

O United States Patent [191 1111 1 3,809,180 Grove May 7, 1974 AERIAL PLATFORM APPARATUS HAVING PIPE GRABS Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado [75] Inventor: John L. Grove, McConnellsburg, Attorney Agent or Ftrm lrvm Lavme Pa. [73] Assignee: Fulton Industries, Inc., [57] ABSTRCT Mcconnensburg, p An aerial platform apparatus includes a wheeled chassis, an extensible boom mounted on the chassis for Filed2 y 25, 1973 luffing and swinging movement, and a workmans plat- {211 Appl 364,195 1 form carried by the boom. The platform is equipped at its forward vertical face with pipe grabs, for engaging and holding a length of pipe, and each pipe grab may LS. CI- P b p t ly l t d l ti t th pl f {5 l Int. Cl B66f 11/04 jacks The platform may be rotated on a normally [58] held of Search 182/21 129; 214/1 E, 1 P tical axis at the end of the boom through 180, so as to be along either side of the boom, and the platform [56] References C'ted may be inclined relative to horizontal by actuating a UNITED STATES PATENTS levelling cylinder at the boom end to incline the nor- 3,291,253 12/1966 Wible a 182/2 vertical axis to Provide inclination Of the basket 3,504,461 4/1970 Copeland... 182/2 when rotated to lie beside the boom, or to place the 3,605,941 9/1971 Edwards 182/2 pipe grabs at ground level. 3,286,855 11/1966 Bill 182/2 1 3,596,976 8/1971 Eilei 182/2 15 Claims, 6 Drawing F igllres PATENTEBIAY 7 i974 sum 3 nr 3 km mZmo Sm mjmk mwm Kw BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION to the master cylinder, and mechanically connected to the outer end of the boom and to the connector. A slave cylinder override valve is provided, so that the platform and connector may be rotated on the horizontal axis of the connector under the control of a workman located in the platform. A pair of pipe grabs are mounted on the platform in horizontally spaced relastructure. Such apparatus comprises a self-propelled wheeled chassis, supporting a boom, the-boom having on its outer or free end a workmans platform, or a workmans basket, since there is provided on the platform not only a floor, but upstanding safety walls or railings. Such aerial platform apparatus may include, in addition to a horizontal pivot for supporting the boom for luffing movement in a vertical plane, a rotatable support structure for the boom on the chassis so that the boom may be swung about a vertical axis. The boom is often extensible, andall movements are conventionally controllable by the workman in the platform.

Aerial platform apparatus heretofore proposed have usually made no provision for the carrying of tools and materials for use by the workman, other than the placement of tools and materials in a container on the floor of the platform. Some few exceptions, however, are known. An aerial platform has been provided in which the boom could not be luffed or swung, but which had a rack for holding fluorescent light tubes of generally cylindrical configuration, so that such tubes could be used to replace burned out or dirty tubes in a light fixture at an elevated location. In another instance, an aerial platform apparatus was provided in which forkelements were mounted beneath the floor of the platform. In still another instance, an aerial platform apparatus connected to the boom, extending in position adjacent the workmans platform.

While these known constructions were suitable for their intended purposes, they were essentially limited to such purposes, and could not be employed for such other. purposes as the installation of conduits beneath a ceiling, including the lifting of the conduits from the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aerial platform apparatus is provided which is capable of lifting conduits, such as pipes for a sprinkler system, from a position on the ground, and then raising the condut and a workman or workmen who have mounted the platform to an elevated position, for installation of the conduit. A self propelled mobile chassis is provided, having-an extensible boom mounted on it for both luffing and swinging movement. At its outer end the boom carries a platform, the platform being supported by a connector which has an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the floor of the platform, about which the platform can rotate so as to lie to either side of the boom; the connector is horizontally pivotally connected to the end or nose of the boom. A boom luffing cylinder is provided for raising and lowering the boom, and a platform levelling system acts to maintain the platform floor level during luffing of the boom; this system includes a master cylinder at the base of the boom and a slave cylinder fluid-connected p was provided for stringing cable, and a cable guide was tionship, and on the side of the platform remote from the connector, these pipe grabs normally occupying positions approximately at the level of the safety railing of the platform. Jacks for the pipe grabs are provided, so that they may be individually raised or lowered in order to move a conduit held in the pipe grabs to positions either parallel to the platform floor, or inclined relative to it. With the boom in a horizontal or below horizontal attitude, the platform may be rotated so that its floor is substantially vertical, thereby placing the pipe grabs at ground level, for engagement with conduits on the ground. Then the boom and platform can be maneuvered to raise the conduit, to permit a workman to mount the basket, and then the boom can be luffed, to an elevated position. The platform may be rotated about the non-horizontal axis of the connector to positions lying along either side of the boom, and the platform may be moved to an inclined position relative to the ground, to position the conduit parallel to an inclined roof line, or at a slight incline relative to a horizontal roof. I

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide an aerial platform apparatus which is capable of lifting articles from the ground, and supporting the articles in a place accessible for handling by workmen on the platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerial platform apparatus having article engaging means movable relative to the platform, and more particularly movable to positions either parallel to or inclined relative to the platform floor.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an aerial platform apparatus having article engaging means on the platform, and wherein the platform is rotatable to positions beside the boom and wherein the platform may be inclined, to assist in placing material in a position which is inclined relative to the horizontal.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be understood from consideration of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an aerial platform apparatus in accordance with the present invention, in position for engaging pipes resting onthe ground.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the outer end of the boom and of a part of the platform of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the boom elevated.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 4, showing the parts in another position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a hydraulic system used on the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION oF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an aerial platform apparatus in accordance with the present invention, including a wheeled, self-propelled chassis 11 having a rotatable boom support structure 12 mounted thereof. Support structure 12 may be rotated about a vertical axis, and has a horizontal pivot 13 which carries the inner end of an extensible, multi-section boom 14. Boom 14 includes a base section 140, a mid-section 14b and a fly section 14c, and also includes apparatus, not shown, for extending and retracting the sections 14b and 14c. A hydraulic motor 16, known as a lifting cylinder, is carried by the structure 12, and engages the boom 14, so as to cause luffing movement of boom 14 about the pivotal axis 13. A hydraulic motor 17 of the linearly extensible type is connected to the structure 12 and to the rear of boom 14, so as to be actuated upon luffing movement of boom 14. This is a master cylinder of a self-levelling system, the self-levelling system also including a slave cylinder 18 which is carried adjacent the outer end of the fly section 140. Slave cylinder 18 is connected to master cylinder 17 so that as boom 14 is luffed, an aerial platform is rotated on a horizontal pivot, to maintain the floor of the aerial platform 25 in horizontal position.

The slave cylinder 18 is supported by support 19 which is secured to the outer end of the fly section 140. Support 19 carries a horizontal pivot 21, and a connector 22 is rotatably supported by the pivot 21. A platform support structure is supported by the connector 22, and in turn supports the platform 25. Mounted on the platform 25, remote from the connector 22 is pipe engaging means 50, shown adjacent a plurality of pipes P. A control console 70 is shown, connected to control valves at platform 25 by a flexible, linearly extending connecting element 71, to provide for remote control of the apparatus 10 by a workman standing on the ground. The control console 70 may be stored at platform 25.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support 19 may be seen to comprise a pair of parallel plates 19a and 191), between which is located the slave cylinder 18. A piston rod 18a extends from slave cylinder 18, and has its end journalled to a pin 31 which extends between and is connected to the rear end of side plates 23a and 23b of the connector 22. At its forward end, connector 22 is rounded, and forms a generally cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing, designated 24, and forming part of the connector 22, has secured to its upper surface a flange 41 of a motor 40, the motor 40 being a known hydraulically operated rotary motor having a second flange 42 thereof secured to a plate 32 forming a part of the platform support structure 30. Structure comprises a pair of spaced, upstanding plates, of which one plate 33 maybe seen in FIG. 2.

Extending from the bottom of the housing 24 of connector 22 is a shaft 26 to which is connected a bracket 34 which extends from and forms a part of the platform support 30. The shaft 26 includes an axis which extends through the motor 40, which axis is perpendicular to the plane containing the floor of the platform 25, and which axis is also transverse to the horizontal pivot 21.

Consequently, upon energization of the motor 40, as by supplying fluid through one or the'other of the lines L-l and L-2, the platform support 30 and the platform 25 may be caused to rotate on the axis which extends through the shaft 26.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there may be seen the platform generally designated 25, and being of generally rectangular configuration with the long axis thereof shown transversely to the axis of the boom 14 in the solid line position. Platform 25 is provided with a floor 43, and peripherally extending safety railings, generally designated 44 comprising sides. The safety railings 44 include a pair of gates 45 and 46, which permit entry of a workman onto the floor 43 of the platform 25.

The pipe engaging means 50 are shown mounted on the platform, on the side thereof opposite to the connector 30. There are two pipe engaging means 50, which specifically include a pipe grab 51 carried by a hydraulic cylinder 52. Each of the hydraulic cylinders 52 is fluid connected by a hydraulic line 53 to a hand operated pump 54, each of the pumps 54 being secured to the platform 25. By manipulation of the handle thereof, fluid may be pumped to the cylinders 52, individually, to thereby elevate the pipe grabs 51 relative to the floor 43 of platform 25. As is clearly seen in FIG. 3, the pipe engaging means 50 are spaced apart along the forward side of the platform 25, which is the side remote from the connector 30.

A control console generally designated 55 is provided at the platform 25, and a workman on the platform 25 may move the apparatus 10, and the various parts thereof through use of the controls provided at the console 55. Such movement includes rotation of the platform 25 on the axis which extends through the motor 40, so that platform 25 may be moved between the phantom line positions, each of which is approximately relative to the full line position of platform 25 shown in FIG. 3. Hence, platform 25 may be caused to have its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the axis of the boom 14, and to be on either side of boom 14.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the position of the apparatus 10 is shown, the boom 14 having been raised, and the levelling system maintaining the floor of platform 25 horizontal. As may be seen, the pipe P is carried by the pipe grab 51.

In FIG. '5, the boom 14 has been elevated still higher, so that a workman carried in the platform 25 is able to place the pipe P in position generally parallel to an inclined roof R. The pipe P is intended to become a part of a fluid conducting system, such as a sprinkler system located near the roof R. The platform 25 has been rotated about the axis passing through the motor 40, so that it lies along the side of boom 14. In addition, the platform 25 is inclined, so that the floor 43 thereof is not parallel to the ground, that is, horizontal, but is inclined at an angle which is substantially parallel to the angle of inclination of the roof R. In addition, through utilization of the jacks 54 and cylinders 52, the pipe P may be placed at an elevation somewhat above the elevation of the upper portion of the railing 44, and since the cylinders 52 are independent of each other, the pipe P may be either parallel to the floor 43, or at an angle thereto.

As will be understood, where sprinkler systems are installed in buildings having substantially flat roofs, or ceilings, it is necessary to place the pipes forming the sprinkler system on an incline, and the noted inclination may be obtained through manipulation of eitherof the jacks 54, or both of them, or through manipulation of the control for the levelling cylinder 18. As will be appreciated, levelling cylinder 18 may be actuated separately from its actuation by the master cylinder 17, to effect manually controlled selective movement of the connector 22 on the horizontal pivot 21.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown therein a schematic hydraulic diagram of the hydraulic system of the aerial platform apparatus 10. There may be seen therein the lift cylinder 16, master cylinder 17 and slave cylinder 18. There are also provided a telescope cylinder 56, for effecting telescopic movement of the sections of the boom 14. A rotary motor 57 is provided, which is the motor for effecting boom movement about a vertical axis, and the rotary motor 40 may be seen, for rotating the platform 25. A pump P-1 and a pump P-2 are provided, for pressurizing the system, and emergency pumps P-3 and P-4 may also be provided. The console 55 includes a telescope valve 56a which may be shifted in either direction to correspondingly control the telescope cylinder 56. There is also provided a lift control valve 160 for controlling operation of the lift cylinder 16. An override control valve 18a is provided, for conducting fluid from the pump P-l to one end or the other of the slave cylinder 16, operation of which will cause the connector and the platform 25 to rotate about the horizontal pivotal axis 21. A steering valve 58a is provided to connect the pump to a steering cylinder 58, which serves to steer two of the wheels of the wheeled chassis 11.

Also forming a part of the console 55 is a valve 61 which is connected to drive motors 63 and 64, each of which is connected with the second pair of ground engaging wheels of the chassis 11, to cause these wheels to drive either forwardly or in reverse.

An auxiliary console 65 is provided, having a separate telescope control valve 56b, drive control valve 61a and swing control valve 57a. As will be appreciated, the valves shown at 55 may be duplicated at the remote control device 70, or may in fact constitute the remote control device 70, when placed in position on the platform 25.

There has been provided an aerial platform apparatus having a platform which may be rotated about a horizontal axis, and about an axis transverse to the horizontal axis, the platform carrying article engaging means which are positioned for ready access by a workman carried on the platform. The platform may be controlled so as to engage articles on the ground, through control of a pendant control apparatus, after which the boom may be elevated and the platform rotated to the position in which its floor is substantially horizontal. A workman may then mount the platform, and the boom elevated, carrying the workman and the article to a high level. Thereafter, the platform may be moved on the axes noted, one horizontal and one transverse, so as to permit the platform to occupy a number of desired positions. Further, the article engaging means are carried by separate adjustable parts, in the form of hydraulic cylinders, so thatthey may be individually adjusted, to enable an article carried by them to be precisely aligned, as with fittings and the like, and to cause an article, such as a pipe, to be either parallel or nonparallel to the floor of the platform.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim: Y y

1. An aerial platform apparatus comprising:

a wheeled chassis, and a boom mounted on said chas sis for vertical luffing movement,

a platform, means connecting said platform to said boom for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, a

means for luffmg said boom,

means responsive to luffmg movement of said boom for maintaining said platform level,

manually controlled means for selectively rotating said platform about said horizontal axis from a position in which the floor of said platform is substantially horizontal to a position in which the floor is substantially vertical, and

material engaging means on the side of said platform remote from said connecting means,

whereby said material engaging means may be selectively positioned adjacent the ground for engaging material thereon and the boom lifted and the platform moved to said first mentioned position.

2. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said platform to said boom comprises a connector pivotally connected to said boom about said horizontal axis, said connector comprising means defining a second axis transverse to said first axis and substantially perpendicular to the floor of said platform, and means connected to said platform and said connector for rotating said platform about said second axis.

3. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 2, wherein said' means responsive to luffing movement of said boom comprises a master extensible fluid motor connected at one end to said boom and actuated by boom luffing movement and a slave extensible fluid motor fluid connected to said master motor and mechanically connected to said boom and to said connector for rotating said connector about said first, horizontal axis, said means for moving said second axis comprising means independent of said master motor for actuating said slave motor.

4. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means responsive to luffing of said boom comprises fluid connected master and slave fluid motors, means connecting said master motor to said boom and means connecting said slave motor to said boom outer end and to said platform, said means for selectively rotating said platform comprising means independent of said master motor for actuating said slave motor.

5. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 4, said last mentioned means comprising manually actuated valve means.

6. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 5, and means mounting said last mentioned means on said platform.

7. The aerial platform apparatus ofclaim 4, said last mentioned means comprising manually actuable means, and means includinglinearly extending flexible means connected thereto.

8. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said platform having a peripheral railing, and means supporting said material engaging means adjacent said railing.

9. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said last mentioned means comprising means for moving said material engaging means to different selected positions relative to said platform.

10. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said last mentioned means comprising first and second article supporting means, and means mounting said article supporting means on said platform in a spaced relation on the side of said platform opposite said connecting means.

11. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 10, said last mentioned means comprising means for extending each said article supporting means upwardly relative to the floor of said platform.

12. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said material engaging means comprising pipe grab means.

13. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 2, said material engaging means comprising means for moving said material engaging means to difierent selected positions relative to said platform.

14. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 2, said material engaging means comprising first and second article supporting means, and means mounting said article supporting means on said platform in a spaced relation on the side of said platform opposite said connecting means.

15. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 14, comprising means for extending each said article supporting means upwardly relative to the floor of said platform. v 

1. An aerial platform apparatus comprising: a wheeled chassis, and a boom mounted on said chassis for vertical luffing movement, a platform, means connecting said platform to said boom for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, means for luffing said boom, means responsive to luffing movement of said boom for maintaining said platform level, manually controlled means for selectively rotating said platform about said horizontal axis from a position in which the floor of said platform is substantially horizontal to a position in which the floor is substantially vertical, and material engaging means on the side of said platform remote from said connecting means, whereby said material engaging means may be selectively positioned adjacent the ground for engaging material thereon and the boom lifted and the platform moved to said first mentioned position.
 2. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said platform to said boom comprises a connector pivotally connected to said boom about said horizontal axis, said connector comprising means defining a second axis transverse to said first axis and substantially perpendicular to the floor of said platform, and means connected to said platform and said connector for rotating said platform about said second axis.
 3. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means responsive to luffing movement of said boom comprises a master extensible fluid motor connected at one end to said boom and actuated by Boom luffing movement and a slave extensible fluid motor fluid connected to said master motor and mechanically connected to said boom and to said connector for rotating said connector about said first, horizontal axis, said means for moving said second axis comprising means independent of said master motor for actuating said slave motor.
 4. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means responsive to luffing of said boom comprises fluid connected master and slave fluid motors, means connecting said master motor to said boom and means connecting said slave motor to said boom outer end and to said platform, said means for selectively rotating said platform comprising means independent of said master motor for actuating said slave motor.
 5. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 4, said last mentioned means comprising manually actuated valve means.
 6. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 5, and means mounting said last mentioned means on said platform.
 7. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 4, said last mentioned means comprising manually actuable means, and means including linearly extending flexible means connected thereto.
 8. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said platform having a peripheral railing, and means supporting said material engaging means adjacent said railing.
 9. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said last mentioned means comprising means for moving said material engaging means to different selected positions relative to said platform.
 10. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said last mentioned means comprising first and second article supporting means, and means mounting said article supporting means on said platform in a spaced relation on the side of said platform opposite said connecting means.
 11. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 10, said last mentioned means comprising means for extending each said article supporting means upwardly relative to the floor of said platform.
 12. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 1, said material engaging means comprising pipe grab means.
 13. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 2, said material engaging means comprising means for moving said material engaging means to different selected positions relative to said platform.
 14. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 2, said material engaging means comprising first and second article supporting means, and means mounting said article supporting means on said platform in a spaced relation on the side of said platform opposite said connecting means.
 15. The aerial platform apparatus of claim 14, comprising means for extending each said article supporting means upwardly relative to the floor of said platform. 